This is something completely new to me, notwithstanding almost 40 years of railroading. My guess is the crossing is a lightly used route with relatively little traffic on either track. Still there has to be a means of keeping two trains from occupying the same space at the same time (also known as a wreck), which is the concept underlying even the most sophisticated methods of traffic control. I’m reasonably certain the timetables governing movement at this point would provide that all trains approaching this junction stop short of the conflicting route and proceed by hand signal once a crew member has determined there is no conflicting traffic. Doing the math it’s safe to conclude each of the two elevated sides weigh an absolute minimum of 500 pounds, so it’s clear the ‘bridge’ is motorized. What the advantage of this arrangement can be, over a conventional diamond, is way beyond me. Lots of maintenance from what I see.
I'm not going to waste your time with stuff you already are bored with. If it's new to you, then I'm on the right track (pun not intended, but this is just the only phrase that does the job) and my job here is done. Sing it with me, from Moana: "You're Welcome!"
Maybe it has something to do with the overhead power? something about the conductivity of one rail interfering with the other, or something, I don't know, I'll leave now.
This is something completely new to me, notwithstanding almost 40 years of railroading. My guess is the crossing is a lightly used route with relatively little traffic on either track. Still there has to be a means of keeping two trains from occupying the same space at the same time (also known as a wreck), which is the concept underlying even the most sophisticated methods of traffic control. I’m reasonably certain the timetables governing movement at this point would provide that all trains approaching this junction stop short of the conflicting route and proceed by hand signal once a crew member has determined there is no conflicting traffic. Doing the math it’s safe to conclude each of the two elevated sides weigh an absolute minimum of 500 pounds, so it’s clear the ‘bridge’ is motorized. What the advantage of this arrangement can be, over a conventional diamond, is way beyond me. Lots of maintenance from what I see.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to waste your time with stuff you already are bored with. If it's new to you, then I'm on the right track (pun not intended, but this is just the only phrase that does the job) and my job here is done. Sing it with me, from Moana: "You're Welcome!"
DeleteThis was one of your weirder posts, but informative and - as usual - very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteneat!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it has something to do with the overhead power? something about the conductivity of one rail interfering with the other, or something, I don't know, I'll leave now.
ReplyDeleteVideo of it in use.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLVckN3ZDlk